Bridge replacement delayed in Rome

ROME-- Weather has delayed a $5.3 million project to rebuild three bridges in Rome.

New York State Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Jim Piccola said the construction was set to begin Jan. 2, and then was moved to Jan. 7; now it's postponed until the weather's more favorable.

Piccola said Route 26 northbound over Route 365 westbound was hit by a tractor-trailer car carrier in 2008, damaging the fascia beams and requiring lane reductions on the bridge. It is currently at the minimum height of 13.99 feet, but after construction it will have 16.6 feet of clearance.

The other bridges being reconstructed are on Route 26 south bound over Route 365 westbound, as well as Route 26 north bound over Route 365 east bound.

"Due to the mild weather the area was experiencing back in early December 2012, the contractor was hoping to get a jump on the demolition of the three structures," he said.

But in the last few weeks Rome has received more than 20 inches of snow, according to weather.com

Now, Piccola isn't sure when the project will begin. .

He said the DOT needs a confirmation from Slate Hill Contractors, in order to begin construction. But once the project is confirmed, a travel advisory will be sent out with a clear detour plan.

This project is a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's New York State Works Program. It focuses on redesigning the state's capital planning approach. Part of that plan is a $15 billion program to repair 2,000 miles of roads and 112 bridges, according to AndrewCuomo.com.

Piccola said all three bridges were built in 1959 and were designed to last 50 years.

"At this point it is more cost effective to replace the structure," he said.

Piccola added that the demolition phase should be completed by the spring 2013. The entire project could be completed by fall of 2013, but the contract ends Dec. 31, 2013.